Burner control apparatus



Aug. 4, 1936. E.-D. JONES ET AL BURNER CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 5, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1i LnwA u DQJouze flr WHJJAM RTeuu-za IMVLNTQR AT To RM 2 5 Aug. 4, 1936 E. D. JONES El AL BURNER CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 5, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EDWARD D Josie. W\LLIAM R.Tl-:\.|.=R j B Y WATTORNLY Patented Aug 4, 1936 UNITED STATES,

. 2,049,960 BURNER CONTROL APPARATUS Edward D. Jones and William R. Teller, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to American Gas Association, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York ,ApplicationOetober 5, 1933, Serial No. 692,295- 9 Claims. (Cl, 158-1171) This invention relates to burner control apparatus, and has for an object the provision of mechanism operableautomatically to interrupt the supply of fuel to a burner .when the flame 5 thereof is accidentally extinguished, and further 20 Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the I line 33 of Figure 1, and showing the parts in one operative position,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical 25 sectional view, similar to Figure 3, and showing the parts in a diflerent operative position,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 5--5 of Figure 3, while 30 Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

' The embodiment of the invention illustrated 3 ing tube ll of any suitable type, adapted to receive fuel from a nozzle l2, communicating with a valve casing l3, in which is rotatably mounted a tapered plug l4 provided with a handle l5 by which it may be rotated and having a bore I6 40 adapted to communicate with the nozzle l2 and with a conduit l1 leading to the casing ill of a valve mechanism l9.

The valve casing I8 is provided with a partition 20 defining an'outle't chamber 2'! communicating with the conduit l1 and also defining an inlet chamber 22 communicating with a principal source of. fuel supply as indicated at 23, and the partition has an opening 24 afiording communi-- cation between the outlet chamber 2| and inlet 50 chamber'22 and is formed about said opening to provide a valve seat for the reception of a valve member 25 normally urged to closed position by means of a coiled spring 26 interposed betweensaid valve and the'adjacent'wall of the casing. 55 The valve 251s provided. with a rigid extension 21 herein comprises a burner l formed with a mix-.

which slidably extends through the top wall 28 of a dash-pot receptacle 29 substantially filled withliquid, such as oil, and inside of the receptacle 29, the extension 21 is provided with a piston 30 having a small opening 3| extending laterally therethrough and having a larger opening 32 provided with a valve seat 33 adapted to cooperate with a valve member 34 normally held closed by a leaf spring 35. Secured to the valve 25 and extending outwardly through a packing gland 36 is a valve stem 31, and rigidly secured to the outer end of the valve stem 31, as by a threaded connection 38, is a sleeve 39; having at its terminalend an annular flange 40 and slidably extending into the flanged end of the sleeve 39 is a bearing member 4| rigidly secured as at 42 to the upper wall of an enclosing housing 44 carried by a frame member 45 of the apparatus. The side wall 46 of the housing 44 carries a latching pin 41 adapted in one position of the sleeve 39 to engage beneath the flange 40, and the pin is normally urged-in an outward'direction by a spring, 48 interposed between the head 49 of the pin and the adjacent wall of the housing, and the head of.

the pin 41 is adapted to be'engaged by the free end of a bimetallic thermostatic element 50 affixed to the housing 44 and disposed adjacent to the burner Hi, the thermostatic elementbeing so constructedthat when heated, as when the burner I0 is burning, it operates to press the latching pin 41 inwardly.

The end of the bearing member 4| projecting into the sleeve 39 is beveled as at 5| for cooperation with the beveled surface 52' of a block 53 carrying a pin 54 projecting outwardly through an aperture in the side wall of the sleeve 39,

. and'the block 53 is carried by a leaf spring 55 which may be secured to the end of the valve stem 31 as at 56, and the spring is so biased as normally to maintain the pin 54 in projected position,'yet is yieldable to permit withdrawal of the pin from its projecting position. Slidably mounted upon the sleeve 39 is an outer sleeve 51, and the outer sleeve is provided with a vertically extending rack 58 meshing with a segmental gear 5 59 carried by a shaft 60 extending outwardly through the wall of the housing 44 and being coupled by a coupling 6! with an extension 62 on the rotatable valve member l4, so that rotation of said valve member rotates the shaft 60 and the segmental gear 69.

Disposed adjacent to the burner I0 is a flasher tube 63, which may be of any well known construction, and the flasher tube 63 extends in close proximity to a. pilot burner 64 which may receive its fuel supply through a conduit 85 tapped into the main fuel conduit 23.

In operation, and assuming that the main bumer [0 is not burning and that the pilot burner 64 is burning, and the operative parts of the apparatus are in the condition illustrated in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the valve member I4 is rotated in a direction which eventually will bring the bore IS in registration with the nozzle l2 and with the conduit l1, and through the coupling 6|, rotary movement of the valve member I4 is transmitted to the shaft 60 and to the gear 59, which engaging the rack 58 will elevate the outer sleeve 51, and by reason of the projection of the pin 54 in the path of movement of the outer sleeve 51, will also elevate the inner sleeve 39, and will continue to elevate the sleeve 39 until the beveled surface 52 on the block 53 comes into engagement with the beveled surface 5| of the bearing member 4|, at which time the pin 54 is retracted, and the outer sleeve will overrun the pin, the inner sleeve 39 meanwhile having been elevated sufliciently to bring the flange 40 above the level of the latching pin 41. Elevation of the sleeve -39 causes corresponding elevation of the valve stem 5? and opening of the valve 25, establishing flow of fuel from the main fuel source 23, into the conduit ll, through the bore it of the valve member i i and to the burner Ill, During the elevation of the valve stem 31, corresponding elevation is imparted to the piston member 30 through the rigid extension 2! and the liquid in the receptacle 29 above the piston member 30 passes rather freely through the valve opening 32, the valve member 3d during this action being unseated.

The gas thus passing from the main source to the burner then enters the flasher tube $3, is igignited by the pilot burner Ed, and flashes back to establish ignition of gas issuing from the burner ill. The heat generated by the burner then begins to deform the thermostatic elcment 55 rather slowly, and when so deformed, the thermostatic element 59 presses the latching pin t? inwardly beneath the flange id on the sleeve 39, the sleeve meanwhile being retarded against falling, due to the action of the dash-pot arrangement, which on downward movement of the piston member 30, causes closing of the larger opening 32 by the valve member 3 5, and hence transference of the liquid must take place through the level of the latching pin ll until after the" thermostatic element 50 has moved the latching pin 51 to a position beneath the flange, and the pin of course holds the sleeve elevated so long as the burner i0 is burning and the thermostatic element is deformed.

Should the flame at the burner an be accidentally extinguished, before the thermostatic ele-' ment 50 has cooled and moved suficiently to release the latching pin 4'8, the burner will be relighted through the flasher tube and pilot burner 64. If, however, the flame at the burner remains extinguished, the thermostatic element 50 again assumes its normal position, releasing the latching pin 47 which is pressed out of engagement by the spring 48, and the sleeve 38 and valve stem 3'! begin to descend slowly under the influence of the spring 25, resulting in closing of the valve member 25 and cutting ofi passage of fuel through the conduit H, and no fuel will pass tive movement provided between the sleeves 39 and 5! permits of setting the device through manipulation of the burner cock, permits full opening of the cock and re-setting thereof, in addition to providing for the retarded closing action already described.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment of the invention herein "described accomplishes at least the principal object of our invention, and it will also be apparent that uses and advantages other than those herein referred to are inherent in the construction; it will further be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention; consequently it will be understood that the embodiment herein disclosed is illustrative only and the invention is 30 not limited thereto.

We claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a burner; a fuel supply conduit for said burner; valve means controlling supply of fuel through said conduit; cooperating members, the

first of which is connected to said valve means, and the other of which is relatively movable with respect to said first member; means normally urging said first member in a direction to close said valvemeans; means retarding closing movment of said valve means; means coupling said members for movement in unison to open said valve means; disengaging means, engageable with said coupling means to disconnect said cooperating members, for relative movement when opening of said valve means is efiected; and hold ing 'means including means responsive to the change in temperature at said-burner when a flame is established thereat, operative to engage said first member during the interval provided by retarded closing of said valve means.

2. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a burner; a fuel supply conduit for said burner; safety valve means controlling supply of fuel through said conduit; cooperating members, the first of which is connected to said valve means, and the second of which is relatively movable with respect to said first member; means normally urging said first member in a direction to close said valve means; means retarding closing movement of said valve means; means coupling said members for movement in unison to open said valve means; disengaging means, en-

gageable with said coupling means to disconnect said cooperating members, for relative movement when opening of said valve means is effected; holding means including means responsive to the change in temperature at said burner when a flame is established thereat, operative to engage said first member during the intervalhaving means operable through opening movebetween the same when opening of 'said valve ment of said manually controlled valve, engage- -able with said second member to move the same while said members are coupled to open said safety valve means.

3. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a burner; a fuel supply conduit for said bumer; valve means controlling flow of fuel through said conduit; cooperatingmembers, the first of which is connected to said valve means,

and the other of which is relatively movable with respect to said first member; means coupling said cooperating members for movement in unison to open said valve means; disengaging means, engageable with said coupling means to disconnect said cooperating members, for relative movement 1 and means, operatedby said thermostatic means upon the heating thereof, engaging said first member during the interval provided by the retarded closing of said valve means, to hold the latter open.

4. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a burner; a fuel supply conduit for said burner; v ve means controlling flow of fuel through s conduit; cooperating members, the first of which is connected to said valve means, and the other of which is relatively movable with respect to said first member; means coupling said cooperating members for movementin unison to open said valve means; disengaging means, engageable with said coupling means to disconnect said cooperating members, for relative movement means is effected; means normally urging said first member in a direction to close said valve means; hydraulically controlled mechanism for retarding closing movement of said valve means; thermostatic means responsive to change in temperature at said burner; and means, operated bysaid thermostatic means, engaging said first member during the interval provided by the retarded closing of said valve means, to hold the later open.

5. Apparatus of the character described,- com-, prising: a burner; a fuel supply conduit for said burner; valve means controlling fiow of fuel through said conduit; cooperating sleeve members, the first of which is connected to said valve means, and the second of which is relatively movable with respect to said first sleeve member; means carrying a detent, coupling said sleeve members, for

movement in unison to open said valve means; disengaging means, engageable with said detent, when opening of said valve means is effected, for disconnecting said cooperating sleeve members for relative movement between the same, to permit movement of said valve means to closed'posie tion; means normally urging said first member in a direction to close said valve means; mechanism retarding closing movement of said valve means; a thermostat responsive to the change in temperature at said burner; and latch means, engageable with said first member and said thermostat, operated by the latter to engage said first member during the interval provided by the retarded closing thereof to hold said valve means open.

6. Apparatus of the character described, coinprising: a burner; a fuel supply conduit for said burner; safety valve means controlling flow of fuel through said conduit; cooperating members, the first of which is connected to said safety valve means, and the second of which is relatively movable with respect to said first member; mo- 5 tion transmitting means carried by said second member; means coupling said cooperating members for movement in unison to open said safety valve means; disengaging means, engageable with said coupling means to disconnect said cooperating members, for relative movement between the same when opening of said safety valve means is effected; means normally urging said first member in adirection to close said safety valve means; means retarding closing movement of said safety valve means; thermostatic means'responsive to the changes in temperature at said burner; and means, operated by said thermostatic means, en-

- gaging said first member during the interval provided by the retarded closing of said valve 2 means, to hold the latter open; and a manually controllable valve also controlling the flow of fuel through said fuel' supply? conduit, andhaving motion transmitting means, operable through opening movement of said manually controlled valve, to engage said motion transmitting means on said second member to effect movement of said coupled members to open saidsafety valve means.

'7. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a burner; a fuel supply conduit for said 30 burner; safety valve means controlling fiow of fuel through said conduit; cooperating members, the first of which is connected to said safety valve means, and the second of which is relatively movable with respect to said first member; means opening of said safety valve meansriseifected; means normally urging said first member in a directionto close said safety valve means; hydraulically controlled means retarding closing movement of said safety valve m ans; thermostatic means responsive to the c ange in temperature at said burner; means, operated by said thermostatic means, engaging said first member during the interval provided by the retarded closing of said valve means, to hold thelatter open; and a manually controllable valve also control-. ling the flow of fuel through said fuel supply conduit, operable through opening movement of said manually controlled valve, to engage said second member to effect movement of said coupled members to open said safety valve means.

8. Apparatus of the character described, com-. prising: a bumer; a fuel supply conduit for said burner; valve means, for controlling fuel to said burner; means normally urging said valve means to closed position; mechanism-for retarding'closing movement of. said valve means; thermostatic means, responsive to the changes in temperature at said b her; cooperating members,

' the first of which is connected to said valve means and to said retarding mechanism, and the second of which is relatively movable witnrespect to said first members; means coupling said members for movement in unison during a predetermined part of their travel, for moving said valve means to open position; means disconnecting said membersto provide for relative movement with respect to each other, so that said valve means may be urged to closed position in a movement retarded manner; and means operated by said thermostatic means, when said burner is burn ing, for engaging said first member when the same is uncoupled from said second member and during the interval provided by the retarded closing of said valve means, and to hold the same open, and being operable to disengage said first member when the flame at the burner is extinguished to permit the closing of said valve means.

9. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a burner; a fuel supply conduit for said burner; manually operable valve means controlling the fiow of fuel to said burner; automatic valve means, controlling the flow of fuel to said manually operated valve means; means normally urging said automatic valve means to closed position; mechanism for retarding closing movement or said automatic valve means; thermostatic means, responsive to the changes in tem- I perature at said burner; cooperating members, the first of which is connected to said automatic valve means and to said retarding mechanism, and the second of which is relatively movable with respect to said first member; means coupling said members for movement in unison during a predetermined part of their travel for moving said automatic valve means to open position, said unison movement being effected by the initial opening of said manually controlled valve; means disconnecting said members when said manually controlled valve has been opened to provide for relative movement of said members with respect to each other, so that said automatic valve means may be urged to closed position in a movement retarded manner, said disconnection providing for free movement of said manually controlled valve without affecting said automatic valve; and means operated by said thermostatic means, when said burner is burning, for engaging said first member during the interval provided by the retarded closing of said valve means, and to hold the same open, and being operable to disengage said first member when the flame at the burner is extinguished to permit the closing of said automatic valve means.

EDWARD D. JONES.

WILLIAM R. TELLER. 

